Exploring the main active components and potential mechanisms of Taohong Siwu Decoction for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease based on network pharmacology

doi:10.5246/jcps.2024.06.039

Abstract

Abstract:

Taohong Siwu Decoction (THSWD), a traditional Chinese prescription renowned for its efficacy in promoting blood circulation and alleviating blood stasis, was investigated in this study to delineate its potential active components and discern the core targets (CTs) and signaling pathways implicated in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Initially, 25 active compounds (ACs) and 478 corresponding active ingredient targets (AITs) of THSWD were meticulously identified by scrutinizing the active ingredients and their targets through the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) and Similarity Ensemble Approach (SEA) databases. Subsequently, a comprehensive compilation of 724 AD-related targets was assembled from the Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), DisGeNET, DrugBank, Genetic Association Database (GAD), and GeneCards databases. Through a meticulous alignment of AITs with disease-related targets, 64 overlapping targets (OTs) emerged as critical intersections. To distill the key compounds, an intricate analysis of the interrelationships among the 25 ACs and 64 OTs resulted in the identification of 21 first-level key compounds (FKCs). Further scrutiny through protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis of the 64 OTs revealed 33 CTs. KEGG cluster analysis of these CTs yielded the top 73 pathways, forming the basis for constructing a network diagram encompassing "21 FKCs-33 CTs-73 pathways" using Cytoscape 3.7.2 software. Refining the network through the selection of topological parameters led to the identification of 19 second key components (SKCs). This information was then employed to construct a refined network, "19 SKCs-33 CTs-73 pathways", providing deeper insights into the intricate connections within the system. Further analyses culminated in the creation of a comprehensive network map, encapsulating "6 single drugs-8 potential active ingredients-13 core targets-54 signaling pathways", elucidating the multifaceted intervention of THSWD in AD. These results offered a novel perspective for understanding the pharmacodynamic material basis of THSWD and paved the way for in-depth investigations into its mechanisms of action and clinical applications in the context of AD.

Key words: Alzheimer’s disease, Network pharmacology, Taohong Siwu Decoction, TCM

Supporting:

Shuang Li, Luyao Sun, Sihan You, Jiayi Zhang, Hongyan Yin, Jinmeng Cao, Xinxing Liu, Chunyan Guo, Xifu Liu. Exploring the main active components and potential mechanisms of Taohong Siwu Decoction for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease based on network pharmacology[J]. Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2024, 33(6): 525-542.

Figures/Tables 16

Table 1. Information on the ACs in the THSWD formula.

Table 2. Information on disease targets of THSWD on AD predicted by network pharmacology.

Table 3. Information of the 21 FKCs of THSWD intervention in AD.

Table 4. Information on the 33 CTs of THSWD intervention in AD.

Table 5. The 19 SKCs for THSWD to exert therapeutic effects against AD.

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